15 Summer Programs at Boston College for High Schoolers

Are you thinking of participating in a summer program? This extracurricular is a great way to explore a passion while building your resume for college.

Situated one of the best cities for college students in the United States, Boston College provides many summer opportunities for high school students. These 15 programs enable you to explore your interests across a range of niches.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs aren’t just a continuation of school: they’re an opportunity to do something you love while meeting like-minded people. While you will take courses at many summer programs, you’ll focus on the areas that interest you the most. You’ll also be able to hone a skill, all while impressing colleges by demonstrating that you value learning beyond the grade and may even earn college credit or placement.

Summer Programs at Boston College

1. Boston College Experience (BCE) Honors Program

Get a head start on college by earning credits in two college courses of your choice through in this six-week program. Additionally, students receive mentorship from faculty and peer advisors to help them adjust to college life. This program has existed for more than 20 years.

• Area of Specialization: General Academic
• Grades: 10th-11th
• Cost: $8,800
• Deadline: 5/15/19
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript.
• Application

2. Boston College Math Experience

Gain college credits in advanced math courses in this six-week program. Students focus on topics beyond those covered in a high school curriculum and will learn problem-solving skills in a collaborative session. Pre-calculus is required as a prerequisite.

• Area of Specialization: Math
• Grades: 10th-11th
• Program Cost: $8,800
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript.
• Application

3. Business & Leadership Institute

In this three-week program, you’ll learn about business through the lens of leadership. Students will learn about general business principles such as marketing, management, and global business, as well as develop their own personal model of leadership. Participants will also observe guest lectures by practitioners and experts in the field.

• Area of Specialization: Management/Leadership
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Apply

4. College Writing

This three-week program will prepare you for college-level writing, a skill that will serve you well in the future. Students will participate in reading and writing exercises and learn a range of rhetorical and critical thinking skills. The program is open to students of all writing levels.

• Area of Specialization: Writing
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

5. Creative Writing Seminar

Gain inspiration from published writers and explore your own voice at this three-week program. Participating in writing workshops, discussions, and exercises, students will analyze different writing styles across nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, as well as receive constructive feedback. The program culminates in creating a literary journal and performing a public reading of students’ work.

• Area of Specialization: Writing
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

6. Criminal and Social Justice

During this two-week program, you’ll explore topics including crime, deviance, and the criminal justice system. You’ll look at topics including the causes and effects of criminality and the means taken to cope with criminal behavior, as well as the future of criminal theory.

• Area of Specialization: Law
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $3,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

7. Digital Communities Seminar

In this three-week program, you’ll discuss and analyze interaction and social cohesion in online communities. Students will offer their own analyses of examples of popular culture social media and discuss topics such as the influence of digital media in the Arab Spring and 2016 presidential election.

• Area of Specialization: Communications
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

8. Introduction to Economic Principles

At this three-week program, you’ll gain an introduction to economics and thinking like an economist. You’ll look at classic questions in economics and learn how economists develop answers.

• Area of Specialization: Economics
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

9. English Language Immersion

Non-native English speakers will have the opportunity to sharpen their English skills at this two-week program. Participants will also learn how to navigate social and academic settings, as well as gain experience working in groups and forming connections with students from around the world.

• Area of Specialization: Writing
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $3,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

10. Forensics and Crime Scene Analysis

Over the course of two weeks, you’ll learn about the exciting world of forensic science, including basic techniques and concepts. Working with simulated crime scenes, you’ll look at actual case examples and gain experience in photographing and sketching simulated crime scenes and matching fingerprints, hair, fibers, tire tracks, glass, blood spatter, ballistics, and weapons.

• Area of Specialization: General Science
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $3,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

11. Government, Globalization, and World Affairs

This three-week program focuses on how nation-states have reacted to and dealt with the effects of globalization. The course uses a historical and comparative approach, helping students understand how countries have become increasingly intertwined. Students will study examples such as the United States, Britain, Russia, and China to understand how citizens are affected by and cope with globalization.

• Area of Specialization: Government/International Relations
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

12. Investigative Reporting

During this three-week program, you’ll have the chance to develop important journalism skills. Presented by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, the workshop focus on investigative techniques and core skills. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct interviews and research around Boston. The course is taught by a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

• Area of Specialization: Journalism
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript.
• Application

13. Psychology of the Arts

Future research psychologists will study the discipline through the lens of artistic behavior during this three-week program. Grappling with questions about psychology and the arts, you’ll learn how to think like a research psychologist by researching, design, and executing studies. You’ll also read challenging scientific literature and present your findings.

• Area of Specialization: Psychology
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

14. Introduction to Psychology Seminar

In this three-week program, you’ll gain an introduction to the basic principles of psychology. Units include the History of Psychology, Clinical Skills, Psychopathology, and Research Methods. Students will grapple with questions concerning personality, discrimination, traumatic brain injury, and mood disorders.

• Area of Specialization: Psychology
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

15. Sports Management Institute

Discover the rapidly-growing sports management industry during this three-week program. Covering areas such as the history of sports, marketing, player formation and development, sports analytics, venue management, and more.

• Area of Specialization: Management/Leadership
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Deadline: 2/15/19 (priority); 5/15/19 (final)
• Essay Prompt: Please provide a statement of 500-750 words that explains why you would like to participate in your chosen program and why. Please include any experiences or achievements that are particularly important to you, which may not be apparent from your high school transcript
• Application

Looking for help navigating the road to college as a high school student? Download our free guide for 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders. Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from academics, choosing courses, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and much more!

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